Warm weather flying helmet



June 21, 1955 M.|. RADNOFYSKY ET AL 2,719,972

WARM WEATHER FLYING HELMET Filed March 7 10, 1955 Evin;

INVENTOR. wzv t-n z Ema-xv J/// j M94 0/ United States Patent WARM WEATHER FLYING HELMET Matthew I. Radnofsky, Newtown Square, and Dino A. Mancinelli, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application March 10, 1953, Serial No. 341,631

2 Claims. (Cl. 2195) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the 'payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

This invention relates to headgear and more particularly relates to an improvement in aviators helmets.

Helmets are worn by aviators to protect the head in case of a crash or other mishap and also to support oxygen masks, earphones, and other devices. Actually two helmets are worn, a hard outer helmet for mechanical protection and an inner helmet or liner of cloth. This invention concerns itself specifically with the cloth helmet which fits snugly on the head and supports earphones and other devices used by the aviator.

The presently known helmets of this type are made of relatively non-porous cloth and fit closely on the head so that even though an air space is generally provided between the inner and outer helmets, ventilation of the head and evaporation of moisture therefrom are considerably hampered resulting in discomfort to the aviator, especially in warm weather since heat and perspiration are sealed in around the head. In addition, these helmets have fixed sizes and shapes so that if the wearer experiences discomfort no adjustment can be made to relieve or shift pressure points.

This invention contemplates the improvement of helmets by constructing at least a portion thereof of an elastic material permeable to air and water vapor to improve circulation of air over the head of the wearer and to permit adjustment to different head sizes.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved helmet which will permit comfortable wear by different persons by providing means for adjusting the size of the helmet.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel helmet which includes a portion permeable to air and moisture thereby improving ventilation of the head of the wearer.

The invention has for a further object the improved construction of a helmet wherein two side portions of a helmet are joined at the top by a strip of elastic fabric.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a side view of a helmet made according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the back of the helmet in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 shows the helmet as it appears from the top.

The helmet indicated generally by the numeral 10 is composed of two side panels 11 and 12 and a crown portion 13. The side panels are constructed of fabric or similar material and are of a shape which follows substantially the contour of the related portions of the head of a human being. The crown portion is a strip of material of substantially even width extending the full length 2,710,972 Patented June 21, 1955 of the helmet from front to rear. This strip is-nra'de of an elastic material woven so as to permit stretching of the strip in both its longitudinal direction and its'late'ral direction simultaneously; that is, it has the propertycoinmonly called tWo-way-stretch. In addition the fabric in this crown portion is of a relatively loose and porous weave which permits flow of air into the helmet to ventilate the head of a person wearing the same, avoiding dead air and removing heat and water vapor of perspiration. Thus one of the chief objections to wearing of this type of helmet in warm weather is overcome. 1

The two-way-stretch fabric which is employed as the crown portion 13 generally comprises longitudinal strands having a rubber core covered with rayon and cotton and lateral strands of loosely woven nylon lockstitched to the longitudinal threads. The fabric, there fore, is porous and stretchable in two directions. The completed helmet may be fitted to a range of head sizes and since either side panel may be moved without disturbing the other, adjustments can be made to relieve pressure points and to correct other uncomfortable conditions. T

The description of the fabric in the crown portion is by way of example only. The construction of this fabric is not claimed as part of the invention and the invention is not limited to the use of fabric of this specific construction.

The crown portion of the helmet is sewed along its longitudinal edges to the side panels and the seams covered with bindingtape 14 to help reinforce and pre-f vent raveling of the edges of the fabric. The side panels are further held together by a strip of fabric 15 secured to each of the side panels and extending across the elastic strip at the base of the rear of the helmet. Two reinforcing crossbands 16 and 17 in spaced positions along the length of the elastic strip have their ends attached to the side panels to limit expansion of the strip 13 and protect against damage thereto from overstretching. 1

As is customary, a rubber insert 18 is provided in each of the side panels for receiving and supporting an "earphone plug and a chin strap 19 cooperates with a mating clasp 20 to secure the helmet on the head of the wearer. Fixtures for attaching and supporting breathing equipment or other apparatus may also be provided on the helmet as needed.

In normal use the helmet 10 is worn underneath a hard crash-protection helmet but it is obvious that it can be worn alone if desired.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A warm weather flying helmet comprising two side panels formed from a relatively non-porous, inelastic material of some strength, a crown panel joining said side panels and extending from the front edge to the rear edge of the helmet, said crown panel being formed from a loosely woven material capable of stretching in both its longitudinal and transverse directions whereby said helmet will be capable of adjusting itself so as to fit the wearers head comfortably, and circulation of air will be permitted to carry away heat from the wearers head.

2. A helmet as defined in claim 1 wherein a reinforcing strip is provided at the rear edge of the crown panel, said strip being fastened at each end to a side panel, and wherein crossbands are fastened at each end to a side panel and are spaced from and parallel to the reinforcing strip.

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(References on following page) 3 4 References Cited in the file of this patent 2,556,576 Carplis June 12, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,579,089 Price DEC. 18, 1951 41521.2 a i .-,F, v Nov. :13, 19,28 FOREIGN PATENTS WW 1 1931 5 21,870 Great Britain Mar. 30, 1905 fMQQ- n Great Jul 5 igyszoims .Mogrc., ,,..1 Aug. .22, .1950 Y 

